Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for tTreating Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Case Report

ABS TRACT Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic and painful condition that occurs especially in the upper extremity after a traumatic event.Here, we report the changes in pain, range of motion, and function after extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in a patient with CRPS.A 68-year-old female patient, whose arm was in a short-arm circular cast due to a right distal radius fracture, was admitted to our clinic with complaints of pain, limitation of movement and discoloration of the hand.Pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale, hand functions with the MAYO wrist score and Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand.ESWT was applied to the wrist for 5 sessions, 2 days a week.After ESWT, significant improvement was achieved in pain, edema, range of motions, and wrist and hand functions.ESWT may be preferred as a new treatment method in CRPS.Studies with large case series are needed to calculate the effective dose and determine the possible side effects.